OTR Hoops: City of Palms Classic- Day 1 Standouts

FORT MYERS, Fla.- The 52nd Annual City of Palms Classic gets underway on Thursday and runs through December 23rd at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers. Here is who stood out on Day 1:

Jordan Smith, Paul VI (Virginia) (2026)

The 6-foot-4 senior shooting guard put on an all-around performance, whether it was his ability to get to the basket, his mid-range game, or his ability to score on all three levels. In the wire-to-wire win over Garfield Heights (Ohio), Smith finished with a game-high 40 points, on 16-of-25 shooting from the field, and 8-for-10 from the free throw line. Smith’s playmaking abilities also set him apart, as he finished with four assists, in addition to his high energy on the defensive end, where he came away with a team-high three steals. He remains uncommitted at this point in the season but has heard from several Power 4 schools such as Arkansas, Duke, Georgetown, Kentucky, Indiana, and several others.

Latrell Almond, Petersburg (Virginia) (2026)

The Oklahoma State signee played an inside-out game on the offensive end, where he got to his spots as well as getting to the free-throw line on several occasions. On the defensive end, Almond plays with a ton of length and physicality, where his strength allows him to play on the blocks as well as get to the perimeter. With his ability to guard positions 1 through 4, his immediate impact should play a huge role as the rest of his senior season rolls on, as well as at the next level against Big 12 competition.

Jordan Dill, Imhotep Charter (Pennsylvania) (2026)

The 5-foot-11 senior guard can be effective whether it’s playing off the ball or as the primary ball-handler, where he can score and make an impact in a variety of ways. His smooth release off the catch is what separated himself where he made several key shots for his team down the stretch. On defense, he applied heavy pressure on opposing ball-handlers, where he was aggressive in the passing lanes as well as his efforts on the glass. He is switchable and can provide a lot of noise as the season rolls on, and could be a difference maker at the next level, as he is committed to Le Moyne University.

Cayden Daughtry, Calvary Christian Academy (Florida) (2027)

The 6-foot-2 junior guard has a smooth handle for the point guard position and plays with a high-level IQ, where he knows how to facilitate for his teammates as well as get his own opportunities to score. His effectiveness and court awareness is what separate him from the rest of the guards in his class, as he can show incredible poise and patience.

Jalen Montonati, Owasso (Oklahoma) (2026)

The 6-foot-7 senior small forward and Oklahoma State signee has come into his own, where he can play on and off the ball as well as having the ability to create his own offense and earn trips to the free throw line. On the defensive end, he showed a lot of versatility and length, where he can guard positions 1 through 3, as well as being able to rebound efficiently from the weak side. He brought strong intangibles, where he made sharp cuts to the basket off the ball and scored on either side of the rim.

Jacob Zhu, Calvary Christian Academy (Florida) (2026)

The 5-foot-11 senior guard set the tone early on the offensive end, where he was in full-attack mode from the opening tip. He consistently found open teammates on the move, as well as getting his own opportunities to score. On the defensive end, he was very disruptive in the passing lanes as well as applying heavy pressure on opposing guards, where his lateral movements made guards feel flustered throughout the game.

Johnny Lackaff, Sarasota (Florida) (2027)

Lackaff has made a name for himself on the national stage this season, where he can be effective on and off the ball, scoring on all three levels as well as his playmaking for his teammates. His ability to be aggressive on the defensive end, where he can be effective in the passing lanes as well as guarding at the front of the rim. Lackaff exploded for a team-high 29 points.

Quentin Coleman, Principia (Missouri) (2026)

The 6-foot-5 senior shooting guard and Wake Forest commit played with energy on both ends of the floor, where he kept his teammates involved early and often. On the glass, he was active, keeping possessions alive with his quick leaping ability and length that made havoc on bigger players. His combination skillset, including his three-level scoring on the offensive end and staying active on the defensive end, is what separates him from the rest of the guards in the class.

Caleb Gaskins, Columbus (Florida) (2026)

The University of Miami commit was a consistent threat off the bounce, where he played with poise and remained under control, where he was a tough matchup for opposing defenses. On the defensive end, Gaskins’ IQ shone as he used his length and athleticism to guard multiple positions and showed his length as a solid rim protector.

Gassim Toure, Principia (Missouri) (2027)

The 6-foot-3 junior combo guard showed his poise and patience on the offensive end where he facilitated in the first half. In the second half, he showed his will when it came to attacking downhill as well as making strong passes to open shooters. His ceiling continues to take notice as he’s hearing from several Power 4 schools such as Illinois, Ohio, Saint Louis, Xavier, and others.

Ross Van De Griek has been a Southeast Region Scout & Writer for On the Radar Hoops since 2024. He has been involved in basketball scouting with stops at Prep Hoops since 2022. You can follow him on X @RossVDG14 or reach him via email at rossvdg14@gmail.com